Leon's Exchange Year in America: End of the First Quarter

It's been nearly 2 months since Leon arrived in Kansas for his exchange year, and he has completed the first quarter of his junior year at Kapaun Mount Carmel High School. It's been a time of lots of fun, friends, football, homework, adjustment,sharing a home with a new family, and a dog and English - all the time!

Gino

Leon and Gino

Gino and Charlie

American Football
Leon told us he wanted to play American football, and he began with a 7 hour hour 'practice' on Monday, August 17th, just a few days before school began. He was issued his helmet, pads, game and practice jersey, and began his journey to learn the game. The coaches and teammates welcomed him. I was impressed with how enthusiastic Leon was to play a sport that he never had played , and how the coaches were happy to have him join the team. Boys on the team have been playing the game for many years, and had attended conditioning and strength sessions all summer, so Leon was definitely at a disadvantage.

Leon's helmet and locker

On the sidelines at Kapaun Mount Carmel Fall Fest. #83
August 28,2015

Louis and Leon after Fall Fest. Louis was in Camilla's blog, too :)

Leon has adapted well to the practice schedule, which lightened up after that seven hour session, but still runs 6 days a week, and sometimes both before and after school. I have adjusted to being a 'football mom'. There's a long history at KMC of how the parents support the football team, and it is very different than what happens on the tennis teams, which is where I have the most experience.

We provide peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before practice three days a week, and then the parents provide a carb dinner on Thursday before the Friday night games, and a pre-game meal on Fridays. I have participated in my first pre-game meal, and will help with a carb meal next week.

Pictures from a pre-game meal:

Leon after his first football game, They won!

On the sideline at his first game!

Swiss Fondue

Swiss Fondue (gift from Leon and his family!)

Cheese Fondue for dinner. Delicious!

Homecoming - the 'Ask'
Homecoming is the first dance of the school year, and Leon asked a friend named Taylor. He made a nice sign, and brought Swiss chocolates and a dozen roses to convince her. She said yes!

Let there be cake!
We continued the tradition of celebrating with cake. Leon's one month anniversary of arriving in Wichita was celebrated with a cake! I made this one, and it was not as good or as pretty as a Cassie Cake. The boys loved the chocolate cake, with cream cheese frosting. It will take time for my to refine my skills in this area! I guess I have 9 months to get it right!

One month cake! Charlie and Gino, Leon and Kate
September 12, 2015

Homecoming - The Dance

Taylor and Leon
Hmmm..what do I do with this corsage?
October 3, 2015

Taylor trying not to stab Leo with the boutonniere pins. Leon trying not to get stabbed with the pins. I adjusted it for him, and he told me that later when he was dancing the pins poked him. Ouch!
October 3, 2015